How to Clean Your Oven
Clean your oven by creating a paste of baking soda and water, spreading it across the interior surfaces, letting it sit overnight to break down carbonized grease, and wiping it clean with a damp cloth followed by a light spray of white vinegar.
Patience beats scrubbing
The cleaning agent needs time to hydrate the baked-on carbon so it lifts easily without scouring the metal surface.
- Heavy-duty rubber gloves
- Plastic bowl
- Plastic scraper
- Microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle
What goes in.
- 1/2 cupbaking soda
- 3 tbspwater
- 1/2 cupwhite vinegar
Let chemistry do the work
Avoid the urge to scrub while the paste is dry. If you wait the full 12 hours, the grease will turn into a soft film that wipes away with minimal pressure.
The method.
Clear the interior
Remove the oven racks, pizza stones, and any thermometer probes. Soak the racks in a bathtub with hot water and dish soap while you address the oven body.
Apply the paste
Mix the baking soda and water until it reaches the consistency of pancake batter. Rub it over the bottom, sides, and door of the oven, avoiding the heating elements.
Wait
Close the oven door and leave the paste to sit for 12 hours. It will turn from white to a brownish hue as it pulls grease from the walls.
Wipe and neutralize
Use a damp cloth to scoop out the bulk of the paste. Spray the remaining white streaks with white vinegar; the resulting foam will lift any remaining soda residue.
When it doesn't go to plan.
If the racks are stubborn, use a stiff nylon brush rather than steel wool to prevent scratching the finish.
Place a towel or newspaper on the floor beneath the oven door to catch drips while wiping.
Wipe down the interior glass with a razor blade held at a low angle if hardened sugar spots remain after the paste treatment.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use the self-cleaning function instead?
Self-cleaning cycles use extreme heat to incinerate residue, which can cause significant smoke and stress internal components like the control board.
Why avoid the heating elements?
The paste is difficult to rinse off these fragile parts and can lead to uneven heating or short circuits when the oven is powered back on.
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